What is the best way to start a pull? I have been getting the truck moving and then stomping on it. That seems to work well with traction. I have seen guys, particularly ones with large turbos spool them up and then take off like you are at the drag strip. I am worried that if I do that all traction will be lost. The advantage to that would be more time to get the sled up to top speed before it starts slowing you down. Right???

even with the ATS turbo I get the sled moving and roll on the throttle

It all depends. Every truck/driver/track/programer/tires/sled/converter/clutch/etc combination is different.

The whole idea is to get the sled moving as quickly and as fast as possible. Ideally you would not spin your tires and get all power to the ground. The only problem with that is that trying to maintain no tire spin, may keep the rpms too low to build power. It's a delicate balance. Most "serious" pullers have a computer that will measure wheel speed as well as ground speed (I believe Tomac has stated he has this setup). It allows him to look at pulls and ground speed vs. wheel speed. At the end of the track, it's your momentum that is going to give you the advantage. I've beaten guys that should have whooped my butt (much better motors) only because they stab the throttle off the line and spin the tires excessively. They never get the sled moving at a high rate of ground speed.

If you don't have a computer or equipment to measure those things, the best thing to do is have someone video your pulls. You will be able to see how your truck runs and how much tire spin you have vs. sled momentum.

Everybody wants to go out and win each time they pull, but sometimes you might have to sacrifice a pull or two and experiment to see what works and what doesn't (and most importantly WHY it worked or didn't).

I know that probably wasn't the answer you were looking for, but I believe it to be the best answer for someone who hasn't gotten much seat time at the pulls. Others please correct me if this does not seem right (as I am coming from many years of gas pulling and have only done exhibition pulls in by buddy's diesel).

Also depends on if you're in 4-lo or 4-hi. I'd say 4-lo roll into it: within 10-15 foot be at WOT. 4-hi, build some boost then let off the brake and get after it. Watch some of the other guys pull before you and see what is working well for them.

With may gas truck it worked best to get into it at a steady rate. With the weight at the back of the sled you have alittle time to get into it Once I got the sled rolling it was go time. You can try didn't things untill you figure out what works for you

Thanks for the input. It is my understanding that the weight of the sled moves up according to the position on the track, not on a timer from the first movement. Is that right? If so, then it is not as important to get the first 10 to 20 feed covered fast, but instead achieve traction so that you can obtain as much speed as possible the rest of the way. I have always used four wheel low. The only time I think it would have been better to use high gear was at a real wet track, like mud pit, where lots of trucks had a problem getting the sled to even move.

Yep the box is mechanically driven so the farther it goes the heavier the plate gets.

if they have a self propelled sled, then they usually have the front tires on the ground a little bit to help you get the sled rolling. in my old gasser i would make sure the chain was tight and let her rip. with the diesel i have tried different things off the line. i think i usually make sure its moving or wait till it shift out of first and give her hell! but with the good sleds you shouldnt, let me say it one more time, you shouldnt have a traction problem off the line. around in my area we have one that isnt self propelled, that one is very hard to get off the line.

let me say it one more time, you shouldnt have a traction problem off the line.

If my truck is running by this weekend, I will let you go first and we will see if you can break traction on takeoff. Then I will adjust accordingly. ;)

as long as i have the #1 spot!

I drive a ford 7.3 diesel and you have to get it rolling, give'r. You have to make sure that the revs are kept high or your done.:grd: If you have any pointers I am open.